Holy Orders

Jesus Christ calls some men to serve him and his people as priests. In the Old Testament, even though Israel was a kingdom of priests, the Lord called certain men to a special priestly ministry. In the New Covenant, even though Christians are a kingdom of priests, Jesus calls certain men to a special priestly ministry. This sacrament is called Holy Orders. Men are ordained as deacons or priests (and possibly eventually as bishops) and thus empowered to serve the Church as pastors, teachers and spiritual fathers who heal, feed and strengthen God's people most importantly through preaching and administering the sacraments.

If you feel called to the priesthood of Jesus Christ or to learn more about discernment of the priesthood, please contact the Vocations Director for the Archdiocese of Chicago, Fr. Francis Bitterman, or visit www.chicagopriest.com.

The priests and deacons at St. Mary's are also available to answer any questions and provide guidance to those discerning a call to the priesthood.

For information on religious life contact Sr. Lovina Francis Pammit, OSF at the Chicago Archdiocese Vocation Association. You may email her at cava@archchicago.org or call (312) 534-5240

For information on the Permanent Diaconate program, please contact Deacon Bob Puhala at 847-837-4564 or bpuhala@usml.edu.